• If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten the password it can be reset on our sign in section by entering your registered Email Address or Username here. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..

Wiki Hartman Procedure with Drainage

Create Wiki
E

Elizabeth83

Contributor
Messages
18
Best answers
0
If a Hartman Procedure is performed and the colon was found to be perforated and drainage of stool had to be completed before the colectomy, would you think that coding 49020 is acceptable for the culture, drainage, and irrigation along with the colectomy 44143?

Any feedback would be great. According to the NCCI edits I feel it should be included becauce it was necessary in order to complete the colectomy. It also involved a lot more work and time though, so maybe a 22 modifier would be acceptable?
 
I'd agree with you. If it had to be done in order to perform the more extensive procedure, it's included. And you can't show a separate and distinct reason for doing it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top